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Diagnostic Procedures
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Procedure
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Body Area or
Sample Tested
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Description
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Amniocentesis
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Fluid from the sac surrounding the fetus
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Analysis of fluid to detect an abnormality in the fetus
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Arteriography (angiography)
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Any artery in the body; commonly in the brain, heart, kidneys, aorta, or legs
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X-ray study in which radiopaque dye is used to detect and outline or highlight a blockage or defect of an artery
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Audiometry
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Ears
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Assessment of the ability to hear and distinguish sounds at specific pitches and volumes
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Auscultation
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Heart
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Listening with a stethoscope for abnormal heart sounds
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Barium x-ray studies
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Esophagus, stomach, intestine, rectum
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X-ray study to detect ulcers, tumors, or other abnormalities
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Biopsy
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Any tissue in the body
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Removal and examination of tissue sample under a microscope for cancer or another abnormality
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Blood pressure measurement
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Usually an arm
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Test for high or low blood pressure
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Blood tests
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Usually a blood sample from an arm
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Measurement of substances in the blood to evaluate organ function and to help diagnose and monitor various disorders
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Bone marrow aspiration
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Hipbone or breastbone
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Examination of marrow under a microscope for abnormalities of blood cells
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Bronchoscopy
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Airways of the lungs
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Direct examination for a tumor or other abnormality
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Cardiac catheterization
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Heart
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Study of heart function and structure
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Chorionic villus sampling
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Placenta
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Examination of a sample under a microscope for an abnormality in the fetus
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Chromosomal analysis
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Blood
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Examination under a microscope to detect a genetic disease or to determine a fetus's sex
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Colonoscopy
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Large intestine
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Direct examination for a tumor or other abnormality
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Colposcopy
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Cervix
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Direct examination of the cervix with a magnifying lens
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Computed tomography (CT)
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Any part of the body
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Computer-enhanced x-ray study to detect structural abnormalities
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Cone biopsy
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Cervix
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Removal and examination of a cone-shaped piece of tissue
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Culture
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Sample from any area of the body (usually a fluid such as blood or urine)
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Examination of microorganisms grown from a sample to identify infection with bacteria or fungi
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Dilation and curettage (D and C)
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Cervix and uterus
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Examination of a sample under a microscope for an abnormality of the uterine lining
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Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)
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Skeleton, focusing on specific regions, usually hip, spine, and wrist
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Study of thickness of bones using a type of x-ray
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Echocardiography
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Heart
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Study of heart structure and function using sound waves
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Electrocardiography (ECG)
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Heart
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Study of the heart's electrical activity
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Electroencephalography (EEG)
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Brain
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Study of brain's electrical function
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Electromyography
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Muscles
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Recording of a muscle's electrical activity
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Electrophysiologic testing
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Heart
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Test to evaluate rhythm or electrical conduction abnormalities
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Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
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Biliary tract
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X-ray study of the biliary tract after injection of a radiopaque dye using a flexible viewing tube to reach the biliary tract
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Endoscopy
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Digestive tract
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Direct examination of internal structures using a flexible viewing tube
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Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
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Usually blood
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The sample is mixed with a sample of allergens or microorganisms to test for the presence of specific antibodies
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Fluoroscopy
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Digestive tract, heart, lungs
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A continuous x-ray study that allows a doctor to see the inside of an organ as it functions
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Hysteroscopy
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Uterus
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Direct examination of the inside of the uterus with a flexible viewing tube
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Intravenous urography
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Kidneys, urinary tract
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X-ray study of the kidneys and urinary tract after intravenous injection of a radiopaque dye
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Joint aspiration
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Joints between bones, especially shoulder, elbow, fingers, hips, knees, ankles, toes
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Examination of fluid from the space within joints for blood cells, crystals formed from minerals, and knees, organisms
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Laparoscopy
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Abdomen
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Direct examination for diagnosis and treatment of abnormalities in the abdomen
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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
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Any part of the body
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Magnetic imaging test for any structural abnormality
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Mammography
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Breasts
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X-ray study for breast cancer
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Mediastinoscopy
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Chest
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Direct examination of the area of the chest between the lungs
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Myelography
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Spinal column
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Simple or computer-enhanced x-ray of the spinal column after injection of a radiopaque dye
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Nerve conduction study
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Nerves
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Test to determine how fast an impulse travels
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Occult blood test
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Large intestine
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Test to detect blood in the stool
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Ophthalmoscopy
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Eyes
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Direct examination to detect abnormalities inside the eye
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Papanicolaou (Pap) test
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Cervix
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Examination under a microscope of cells scraped from the cervix to detect cancer
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Paracentesis
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Abdomen
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Insertion of a needle into the abdominal cavity to remove fluid for examination
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Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography
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Liver, biliary tract
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X-ray study of the liver and biliary tract after injection of a radiopaque dye into the liver
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Positron emission tomography (PET)
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Brain and heart
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Radioactive imaging to detect abnormality of function
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Pulmonary function tests
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Lungs
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Tests to measure the lungs' capacity to hold air, to move air in and out of the body, and to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide
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Radionuclide imaging
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Many organs
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Radioactive imaging to detect abnormalities of blood flow, structure, or function
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Reflex tests
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Tendons
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Tests to detect abnormalities of nerve function
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Retrograde urography
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Bladder, ureters
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X-ray study of the bladder and ureters after infusion of a radiopaque dye
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Sigmoidoscopy
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Rectum and last portion of the large intestine
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Direct examination to detect tumors or other abnormalities
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Skin allergy tests
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Usually an arm or the back
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Tests for allergies
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Spinal tap (lumbar puncture)
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Spinal canal
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Test for abnormalities of spinal fluid
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Spirometry
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Lungs
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Test of lung function that involves blowing into a measuring device
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Stress test (exercise tolerance)
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Heart
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Test of heart function with exertion
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Thoracentesis
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The space that surrounds the lungs (pleural space)
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Removal of fluid from the chest with a needle to detect abnormalities
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Thoracoscopy
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Lungs
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Examination of the pleura and the pleural space through a viewing tube
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Tympanometry
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Ears
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Measurement of the impedance (resistance to pressure) of the middle ear, which helps in determining the cause of hearing loss
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Ultrasonography (ultrasound scanning)
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Any part of the body
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Ultrasound imaging to detect structural or functional abnormalities
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Urinalysis
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Kidneys and urinary tract
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Chemical analysis of urine sample to detect protein, sugar, ketones, and blood cells
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Venography
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Veins
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X-ray study to detect blockage of a vein
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